Fountain liquid applicator



Jan. 14,1941. A. L. LCWE 2,228,573

FOUNTAIN LIQUID APPLICATOR Filed March 4, 1958 INVENTOR ARTHUR LOW Patented Jan. 14,1941

' UNITED STATES PATENT lorries j 13 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful im-' provements in applicators and has particular relation to fountain liquid applicators.

The objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein a'satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes-all such variations and modifica- 'tions as fall within the spirit ofthe invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing- Fig. '1 is a side-elevational view showing the complete applicator of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a'view partly in elevation and partly in section showingflon an enlarged scale, the mounting of the container for the liquid to be 20 applied;

c Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view as'along the line 3-3. of Fig. 2;

' Fig. 4 is a sectional view as along the line 4-4.

of Fig. 2; 25,

and partly in section of the valve employed;

6 is an elevational view showing the valve parts slightly separated;

Fig. '1 is a perspective view of a locking clip 30 employed; 1

Fig. 8 is a detail view showing another lookingmeans which may be employed;

Fig. 9 is a front elevational view of the head of the applicator; and .Fig. 10 is an elevational yiew at right angles to- Fig. 9. I

- Referring in detail to the drawing the improved applicator includes a relatively long handle I! the lower end of which carries a head 40 ll. Preferably handle ills of such length that while standing erect and grasping the upper portion of the handlean operator may manipulate the same to use'the head II for. spreading on any desired surface a suitable'wax, polish, oil,

I 45 cleanser, varnish, etc. ,Mounted on the under side of the handle toward the lower end thereof is a container l2 for the liquid wax polish, oil,

' 55 Across the bottom wall of the container is a re- Fig. 5 is an enlarged view partly in elevation enforcing plate l9 embossed so as to fit uneven or paneled can bottoms. This plate adjacent its end toward the handle I3 is provided with a pair of spaced upstanding lugs I9 the purpose of which will later ,be set forth. a

Plate I3 assists in the mounting of a discharge I control valve comprising a two part construction including an inner part. 2| and an outer part 22. The latter includes a ring-like portion 23 internally threaded and having secured Portions 21 and 23 are of about thesame external diameter and as will appear are adapted to clamp the bottom wall l5 of the container and the reenforcing plate I3 between them. Valve stem 26 extends through both the valve parts 2| and 22 and at the upper side of portion 21,c'arries a. valve 29 held to the stem as by being clamped between the nuts 30. I

A bracket 3| of the construction of bracket 24 is fixed to the portion 21 as by being welded thereto and has its arm 32 providedvvithv an opening for thepassage of the inner portion of the valve stem whereby the latter in its movements is guided by the brackets 24 and 3|. About the inner portionof the valve stem is a coil spring 33 bearing at one end against the inner side of bracket arm 32 and at its other end against the valve 29 whereby the spring normally maintains the valve seated against the inner end of valve portion 21.

The container bottom wall l5 and the reenforcing plate l8 are provided with aligned openings the inner valve part 2| is inserted through the filling opening in the top of the container and outer valve part 22 is threaded onto such extension and the portions 23 and 21 threaded up tight so as to clamp wall I5 and plate I3 together "to make a liquid tightjoint. the threading of the valve portions 23 and 21 together serves to secure the plate I8 in place.

Container i2 is: secured to the handle III by means of similar upper and lower clips 34 and 35. These clips are duplicates and are secured to the handle .by meansof screws or bolts 36 and 31 respectively. Each clip includes a body Obviously portion 38 having a tongue 39 partly lanced and pressed therefrom and at its free end provided with an outwardly directed portion 40. Preferably the body portions 36 are bent to partly embrace the handle l0 and the tongues 39 are of appreciable length. The distance between the screws 36 and 31 is such that when the clips are attached to the handle they are spaced apart to receive the container l2 with the beads I6 and H of the latter between the free end portions of the tongues 39 and the bodies 38 of the clips.

Bolts or screws 36 and 31 pass through the handle I and the tongues of the clips and at the outer sides of said tongues thread into nuts 4| and 42 respectively. Portions 40 of the tongues prevent turning of the nuts on the bolts and the portion 40 of the lower clip is located between the lugs l9 of plate |B whereby lateral movement of the container is prevented. As the bolts 36 and 31 are tightened the beads of the container are clamped in a vise-like manner and are caused to press against the sharp corners 43 formed by the lancing of the tongues from the bodies of the clips whereby the container is further held against any casual lateral movement. Additionally it is clear that the bolts passing through the handle have fixed centers and there can be no movement of the container longitudinally of the handle. 7

To the lower or outer end of the valve stem 26 there is attached as by screw threads or the like, a member 44 having an opening 45 therethrough. A control rod 46 for the valve 20 is mounted on the handle and extends longitudinally thereof being guided by screw eyes or the like 41. The lower portion of the control rod is bent to provide a laterally extending portion 48 passing through the opening 45 in the member 44 whereby on movement of the rod longitudinally of the handle the valve 20 may be manipulated.

The upper portion of rod 46 is bent or formed to provide a portion 49 looped about a screw 50 and a trigger-like portion 5| located for convenient operation by a user. Obviously by drawing upwardly on the trigger 5| the rod 46 will be drawn longitudinally of the handle and the valve 29 will be moved of]? its seat so as to permit the contents of the container to run therefrom. On release of the trigger the spring 33 returns all parts to their normal positions seating the valve 29 to cut oil the flow of liquid from the container. A wing-nut 52 or the like on the screw 50 may be tightened to lock the rod 46 against casual movement and thus secure valve 20 in closed position to prevent any possibility of casual opening of the valve during shipment or storage of the applicator.

The size of the opening through the valve 20 is such that ,the liquid will flow out of the container without any other venting thereof. As the liquid flows from the container on opening of the valve it is baflled by the arm 25 of the bracket 24 and directed downwardly and prevented from directly engaging the spreading portion 53 of the head H.

In addition to the portion 53 the head II includes a twisted wire mounting portion 54 carrying the fibrous material making up portion 53. The twisted wires are bent back over the portion 53 in the form of a pair of arms 55 having their free ends 56 passing to the inner sides of clips 51. Such clips are duplicates of one another and the wire arms 55 may. be welded or otherwise secured to the clips but in addition being carried through openings to the inner sides of the clips and there bent to extend in the direction of the lengths of the clips it will be apparent that in the event of failure-of the weld or other connection the wire arms will remain attached 6 to the clips.

Clips 51 are transversely curved whereby to be applicable to handles III of varying diameters and each clip adjacent its upper end is provided with a slot 58 opening through such upper end. 10 A bolt 59 passes through the lower end portion of handle l0 and the head II is applied to the handle by a movement of the head longitudinally of the handle whereby to have the slots 59 receive the projecting ends of the bolt 59 at each 15 side of the handle. On the bolt 59 is a' wing nut 60 adapted to be tightened against the inner or upper portion of the clip 51 whereby the head of the bolt is drawn against one clip as the wing nut is tightened against the other and the head 20 II is secured to the handle l9. Obviously on loosening of nut 60 head may be removed for cleaning or replacement or the like.

Attention is directed to the fact that the clips 51 at each side of the handle are duplicates of 25 one another and are attached as by welding, soldering, brazing, clinching or the like to be rigid parts of the arms 55 and that the'entire head may be easily removed from the handle when desired. The portion 53 of the head is'of 30 soft and flexible material whereby when spreading wax or other liquid the said portion will conform to any depressions, etc., in the surface whereby the liquid will be evenly distributed.

In Fig. 5 a clip 6| (shown alone in Fig. '1) is inserted between the lower side of bracket arm 25 and the upper end of member 44. Clip 6| is of sheet metal and preferably is of such-width that it has a tight fit between member 44 and arm 25 whereby the valve stem 26 is drawn downwardly securing the valve 29 on its seat so that the container is sealed for shipment. The clip includes a pair of arms 62 each ofl-set intermediate its ends to provide portions 63 embracing the valve stem whereby the clip will not casually become disengaged therefrom. When the applicator is first to be used clip 6| is removed and discarded.

Fig. 8 shows another arrangement for locking valve 29 on its seat during shipment. There a nut 64 is threaded on the valve stem 260. above the member 44 and obviously on threading said nut up into engagement with the underside of arm 25 the valve stem is locked down with the valve tight On its seat. When the applicator is to be used the nut 64 is threaded down to the position of Fig. 8 wherein it is spaced from arm 25 a sufiicient distance so that on upward movement of the valve stem the nut will not engage arm 25 until after the valve 29 is unseated.

Clips 34 and 35 are duplicates of one another and are so constructed and mounted that the container I2 is held rigidly against any casual movement on the handle ||l.- The portions 49 of the clips prevent casual turning of the nuts 4| and 42 and the tongues 39 are of such lengths that their free ends may be tightly clamped against the beads of the container with a viselike action. Reenforcing plate |3 serves to strengthen the bottom of the container otherwise too flimsy to support the valve 29. The lugs IS on the reenforcing plate engaging with the tongue portion 40 and/or the nut 42 serve to center the plate and the container and prevent lateral movement of the latter relative to the handle. The plate ll being a separate piece may be cheaply manufactured and permits of the use of commercial containers as it strengthens the bottoms thereof making them strong 5 enough to be practical.

It is also noted that the valve member 2! and its seat as well as the coil sprin 33 are all within the container where the contents is in liquid condition. Thus the valve and spring will 1 not be made ineffective due to hardening or setting up of some of the liquid on them as the container is always sealed when the valve is closed as when the applicator is not in use. The valve stem working through the opening for the 15 discharge of the liquid maintains such opening clear.

The discharge opening through the valve 20 is of such size that when the applicator is in use the cap 13 is screwed tight so that there is no 20 splashing or leakage of the contents of the container through the filling opening thereof. The discharge opening permits of a steady flow of liquid from the container each time the valve is opened until the desired amount of the liquid 25 is discharged. Then the valve is permitted to close and the liquid is spread evenly by the applicator head H.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

30 1. In a liquid applicator comprising a handle adapted to have a spreader head applied to the lower end thereof, a container on the handle and having a discharge opening, a valve normally closing said discharge opening, a spring seating 35 said valve, an operating rod extending along said handle and connected at its lower end with said valve, means on said rod for manipulating the same to cause opening of said valve, and means associated with said rod and operable to lock the 40 valve on its seat.

2. In a liquid applicator comprising a handle adapted to have a spreader head applied to the lower end thereof, a container on the handle and having a discharge opening, a valve normally 45 closing said discharge opening, a spring for seating said valve, an operating rod extending along said handle and connected at its lower end with said valve, means at the upper end of the rod for manipulating the same to cause opening of 50 said valve, means to lock the valve on its seat,

and said means being manually adjustable to and from valve locking position.

3. In a liquid applicator comprising a handle adapted to have a spreader head applied to the 55 lower end thereof, a container on said handle and having a discharge opening, a reenforcing plate across the portion of said container having such discharge opening and said plate having an opening aligning with said discharge opening, a

so separable valve including a part within said container and a part at the outer side thereof, said parts connected through said aligned openings and clamping the reenforcing plate against the wall of the container, spring means normally closing the valve, and means operable to open said valve to permit of the discharge of the contents of the container.

4. In a liquid applicator comprising a handle adapted to have a spreader head applied to the 70 lower end thereof, a container on said handle and having a discharge opening, a separable valve including a part within said container and a part at the outer side thereof, said parts connected through said discharge opening,'manual means 75 for opening said valve, said valve including a stem projecting at the outer side of the container, and

a bracket-like member on said valve at the outer side of the container and including a portion comprising a guide for the projecting valve stem and a baiflefor'liquid discharged from the container. 5

5. In a liquid applicator comprising a handle adapted to have a spreader head applied to the lower end thereof, a container on the handle and having a discharge opening, a separable valve including a part within said container and a part at the outer side thereof, said parts connected through said discharge opening, a spring for causing seating of said valve to close said discharge opening, manual means for opening said valve, a bracket on each of the valve parts and comprising an arm in spaced relation to but extending across the ends thereof, a valve stem extending through said parts and guided by said arms, and said arm associated with one of said valve parts also forming a stop for said spring.

6. In a liquid applicator comprising a handle adapted to have a spreader head applied to the lower end-thereof, a container on the handle and having a dischargev opening, a separable valve including a part within said container and a part 2 at the outer side thereof, said parts connected through said opening, a spring within said'container for causing closing of said valve to close said opening, manual means for opening said valve, a bracket on each of said valve parts and comprising an arm in spaced relation to but extending across the ends of such parts, said valve including a stem extending through said parts and guided by said arms,.and said arm associated with the inner of said valve parts forming a stop for said spring.

'7. In a liquid applicator, a handle, a container on the handle, saidcontainer having a discharge opening, a valve normally closing said discharge opening, means for unseating the valve, said valve including a stem, a removable clip embracing said stem and preventing unseating of the valve, and a spreader head on the lower end of said handle.

' 8. In a liquid applicator, a handle, a container on said handle and having a discharging opening, a valve normally closing said opening, means for unseating said valve, said valve including a stem, a nut threaded on said stem and threadable thereon to and from positions locking the stem and thus the valve against movement in a direction to unseat the valve, and a spreader head on the lower end of said handle.

9. Ina liquid applicator comprising a handle adapted to have a spreader head applied to the lower end thereof, a container on said handle and having a discharge opening, a valve normally closing said opening, means for unseating said valve, and a screw threaded means for locking said valve against movement in a direction to unseat it.

10. In a liquid applicator comprising a handle adapted to have a spreader head applied to the lower end thereof, a container on said handle and having a discharge opening, a valve including separable parts connected through said opening 55 and clamping between them portions of said wall about said opening whereby the valve is mounted on the container, said valve parts located .one within and the other without said container, said valve part within the container 7 including a spring normally acting to move the valve in one direction, and means at the outer side of said container and connected to operate said valve against the action of said spring.

11. In a liquid applicator comprising a handle 76 adapted to have a spreader head applied to one end thereof, a container on said handle and having a discharge opening, a valve normally closing said discharge opening, said valve including a stem, a spring for seating said valve, an operating rod extending along said handle and connected at one end with said valve, means at the other end of the rod for manipulating the same to cause opening of the valve, and means engaging said valve stem and operable to lock said valve on its seat. 4

12. In a liquid applicator comprising a handle adapted to have a spreader head applied to one end thereof, a container on said handle and having a discharge opening, a reenforcing plate across and engaging and stifiening the portion 01' the container having such discharge opening and said plate having an opening aligning with said discharge opening, a valve controlling said discharge opening and mounted on said container portion and said plate, spring means normally closing said valve, and means operable to open said valve to permit of the discharge of the contents of the container. I

13. In a liquid applicator comprising a handle adapted to have a spreader head applied to the lower end thereof, a container on the handle and having a discharge opening, a separable valve including a part within said container and a part at the outer side thereof, said parts'belng connected through said discharge opening, manual means for opening said valve, said valve including a stem projecting at the outer side of the container, and means at the outer side of the container comprising a guidefor said valve stem;

ARTHUR L. LOWE. 

